Certifications that Support a Competitive Advantage and Sustainability

A management system is a set of interrelated or interacting elements to establish an organization’s structure, roles, responsibilities, planning, operation, policies, practices, rules, beliefs, objectives and processes for achieving organizational objectives.

The management system can address a single discipline or several disciplines, such as quality, environmental, and health and safety.

WHY DO YOU NEED A MANAGEMENT SYSTEM?

A management system will:

• Help the organization to identify objectives
• Ensure that all sections of the business work collectively towards these objectives
• Provide a framework with interconnecting processes on how the objectives can be achieved
• Introduce measures to identify weaknesses and potential opportunities for business efficiency improvements
• Review business performance in all areas and continually improve
• Adopt a risk-based approach and facilitate better contingency planning

INTRODUCING ISO 9001

The standard documents the processes, procedures and responsibilities for achieving quality policies and objectives. It defines how you must operate to meet customer and stakeholder requirements, based on seven management principles:

• Customer focus
• Leadership
• Engagement of people
• Process approach
• Improvement
• Relationship management
• Evidence-based decision-making

Certification follows successful completion of an audit and enables you to:

• Operate more efficiently and save money
• Meet statutory and regulatory requirements
• Reach new markets
• Identify and address risks
• Increase customer satisfaction and loyalty

INTRODUCING ISO 14001

The standard specifies environmental management system (EMS) requirements that enhance your organization’s environmental performance. You can learn to systematically manage the environmental responsibilities that contribute to sustainability.

It also considers the surroundings in which an organization operates, including air, water, land, natural resources, flora, fauna and humans, as well as their interrelationships.

An EMS has three pillars – compliance, protection of the environment and continual improvement. However, if one pillar is removed, the EMS becomes unstable.

An ISO 14001 EMS can provide value to the environment, the organization itself and interested parties. Consistent with your environmental policy, EMS outcomes include:

• Environmental performance enhancement
• Achievement of environmental objectives
• Fulfillment of compliance obligations
• Brand growth
• Risk avoidance

USING ISO 9001 AND ISO 14001 TO GAIN COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

ISO 9001 can lead to numerous benefits:

• Increased customer confidence in your service or product quality
• Reduced lead times due to better planning
• Fewer quality-related complaints and enhanced customer satisfaction
• Cost-savings from improved processes and a decrease in waste
• Minimal interruption to activities due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g. COVID-19) with a risk-based approach
• A better understanding of your markets’ needs by considering your organization and its context
• Increased employee satisfaction, leading to greater efficiency and reduced staff turnover

ISO 14001 can lead to numerous benefits:

• Better management control that can reduce environmental impacts
• Higher conformance with legislative and regulatory requirements by minimizing the risk of fines, and improving an organization’s efficiency
• Reduced waste, consumption of resources, operating costs and, in some markets, lower public liability insurance costs
• Businesses operating in several locations across the world can leverage their ISO 14001 conformance to eliminate multiple registrations or certifications
• Improved public perception of your business, placing you in a better position to operate within the international marketplace
• There is a growing interest in including ISO 14001 certification in tenders for public-private partnerships for infrastructure renewal
• Support your organization’s reputation, as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) and/or environmental, social and governance (ESG) agenda

CONTRIBUTING TO SUSTAINABILITY

The UN defines sustainability as the reconciliation of environmental, social and economic demands – the “three pillars of sustainability” – for the immediate and future well-being of individuals and communities.

The ISO standards support the three pillars.

Economic

Facilitating international trade, improving a country’s national quality infrastructure and supporting sustainable business practices. They cover everything from efficient farming methods to anti-bribery management systems.

Social

Helping countries and communities to improve their citizens’ health and well-being. They cover all social welfare areas, from healthcare systems and related products to social inclusion and accessibility.

Environment

Helping businesses and countries to manage their environmental impact. They cover aspects, such as implementing an EMS, measuring and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy consumption, as well as encouraging responsible consumption.

ALIGNMENT WITH THE 17 UN SDGS

According to www.iso.org, implementing ISO 9001 can contribute to:

1: No poverty

9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure

12: Responsible consumption and production

14: Life below water

According to the ISO website, implementing ISO 14001 can contribute to:

1: No poverty

2: Zero hunger

3: Good health and well-being

4: Quality education

6: Clean water and sanitation

7: Affordable and clean energy

8: Decent work and economic growth

9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure

12: Responsible consumption and production

13: Climate action

14: Life below water

15: Life on land

HOW WE CAN HELP

With expertise in all major industries, we understand each sector’s pain points and have the technical skills and logistical capabilities to ensure realistic outcomes.

Our audits against ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 will help your organization to stand out from the crowd by supporting you to develop robust quality and environmental management systems.

SGS Academy also delivers consistent, effective and high-quality training. For ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, we can provide:

• Auditor/Lead Auditor Training Course
• Internal Auditor Training Course
• Foundation Training Course
• Implementation Training Course
• Introduction Training Course
• Bundle (Introduction, Internal Auditor and Implementation)